Family Preservation Counselor

Earn: $62,353.20 - $64,500/annually • Location: Cayuga County, NY

About Cayuga Centers

Cayuga Centers is an accredited non-profit, human services agency dedicated to family support and preservation, trauma-informed care, and serving vulnerable populations with the most unique needs. Founded in 1852 in Auburn, NY, we have a long history of delivering high-quality and innovative services to individuals, children, youth, and families.

At Cayuga Centers, we embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do this by taking a firm stance against hatred, inequality, bias, and injustice. We provide our staff with the training, coaching, and resources necessary to grow and serve with cultural humility, acceptance, and understanding. We are responsive to the diverse needs of those we serve and staff, and are committed to ensuring that everyone feels respected, valued, and a sense of belonging.

About The Program and Role

The Family Preservation Program (FPP) serves families that have a child/children at risk of foster care placement or who are in need of intensive therapeutic services. The program partners with Cayuga County families in their homes for 4-6 weeks and provides therapy 3-5 times a week, reducing the risk of removal and reports received by child protective services.

The Family Preservation Counselor works with families and individuals to identify parental and youth strengths, supporting efforts to create stronger family goals and advance a stable, nurturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Utilize research-based cognitive and behavioral strategies to facilitate behavior change
• Provide home-based, solution-focused case management support and/or crisis intervention to individuals and families
• Model and teach basic life skills to empower individuals and families to become self-sufficient
• Assess safety, structure the environment, and use clinical strategies designed to promote safety
• Become a primary support in helping families develop preventative and responsive skills to crisis
• Demonstrate an inclusive and accepting practice in the office and the field to support a diverse and accepting culture
• Carry a full caseload of 2-3 families
• Assist individuals and families by referring them to appropriate longer-term services and supports
• Assist families with any and all tasks needed to stabilize them, modeling and teaching basic life skills to empower self-sufficiency
• Coordinate and facilitate parent/adolescent groups

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with applicable experience in the human services field – required
• Master's degree – preferred
• Ability and willingness to work with families in an "in-home" context
• Knowledge of family systems theory and home-based interventions
• Ability to engage families who may not want the services, or who are mandated
• Valid NYS driver's license – required

Physical Requirements

• Use of a personal vehicle for driving to and from appointments and activities as assigned
• Word processing: including responding to emails and completing computerized documentation
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Walking distances
• Walking up and down stairs inside/outside

Schedule

This is a full-time, 40-hour-a-week position that will require evening and possibly weekend hours. On-call responsibilities are included. We are looking for an applicant who is willing to work a flexible schedule that suits the youth and family needs.

Benefits

• 120 hours of Vacation
• 10 paid Holidays (prorated), 24 hours of paid Personal Time, Medical Appointment Time
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Pet and Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• FSA, Transit, and Parking savings accounts
• Supplemental life insurance, critical illness, and enhanced short-term disability benefits
• 401(k) available
• Corporate Discounts Program
• Sick Leave Pool
• Identity Protection

Why Cayuga Centers?

• Council on Accreditation (COA) Accredited
• Implement best practices and evidence-based interventions
• Committed to employee professional development and advancement
• We embrace change, innovation, and opportunities
• Our diverse workforce acts and leads with human sensitivity and respect
• Large and growing national footprint